The Buffalo players were in full support of Marcell Dareus’ decision to check himself into a rehabilitation facility.
From buffalobills.com
Before Saturday’s preseason matchup against the New York Giants even kicked off it was quickly overshadowed by Marcell Dareus’ announcement that he would be checking into a rehabilitation facility.
GM Doug Whaley doubled down on the organization’s commitment to Dareus, saying that the embattled nose tackle is a member of the Bills family. Dareus’ teammates backed up that familial bond with words of support.
“I care more about him then I do his football career,” said veteran Kyle Williams. “So I want to see him be better and if this is the step the him and Terry and Kim thought that he needed to take – and this is going to workout in the long run better for him, then so be it.
“I mean you worry about guys and their family. Those are the things that you are concerned about. You put football and all of that, your career and everything, to the side and you worry about his well-being.”
Fellow veteran Eric Wood echoed the sentiment of football taking a backseat to personal health. Wood among others, attested to the high quality of person that Dareus is off the field.
“He’s such a great kid. I mean man, one of my favorite people to be around in the entire world. But, you know, obviously he the need to get some help and you’ve got to respect that,” said Wood.
“You know, the only thing we can do is stay positive,” said cornerback Ronald Darby. “He’s a great player and we need him a lot, but he’s going to be back and he’s going to be ready,”
For Dareus, seeking treatment is undoubtedly a move to support his personal health, but it is also a move that makes football sense. Suspensions and off-the-field incidents are the fastest ways to end a promising career and there is no shortage of examples in the NFL. Rehabilitation may be the clearest path for Dareus to come back and re-establish his presence on the field.
“It’s more important than four games. We support him 100 percent as a football team and as an organization,” said Rex Ryan. “I’m excited about the young man trying to change his life. I’m excited about that.”
With the full support of his teammates and the Bills organization as a whole, the ball is now in Marcell Dareus’ court. The decision to check into a rehab facility is just the first on a road of positive decisions that lead back to NFL stardom. It is up to Dareus now to tow the line of redemption.